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Zero Motorcycles launches a line of police-grade electric bikes

May 20, 2012

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Electric-motorcycle maker Zero Motorcycles has launched a line of 2012 Zero DS bikes designed specifically for police patrols and security agencies. The company says it has been working with security agencies for two years, and this bike is the fruit of that labor.

The Zero DS comes in 6-kilowatt-hour or 9 kilowatt-hour configurations and is rated by the EPA at 70 or 112 miles on a single charge. It has a top speed of 80 mph and features regenerative braking to recoup energy during deceleration.

Charge time varies but a on a standard outlet it should take about 8-9 hours, with the quick-charge kit it takes half that time. It's rated to 3,000 complete charges before the battery can be recharged only to 80 percent capacity.

The base police model comes with forward and rear LED lights, a siren, front battery and frame protection bars, emergency flashers and a light-cut switch. Accessories such as hard storage cases, a detachable windshield and more are also offered.

A few different configurations are shown. One is more of an on-road cruiser, while the other looks as if it could chase criminals up mountains when driven by an experienced rider.

The cool part, at least for us, is that the bike is nearly silent. Instant torque from the electric motor can get you moving with no shift noise, no exhaust heat and minimal weight. We could see a whole generation of stealthy motorcycle cops who can creep through alleys, patrol the deserts and zip down the highway without tipping off the crooks.

The Zero ranges from $15,845 for the 6-kWh version and $18,345 for the 9-kWh bike. Check out www.zeromotorcycles.com for more info.